Ravens mock draft roundup (March 4)

By Matt VenselThe Baltimore Sun

National draft analysts have released a wave of new mock drafts after the NFL scouting combine wrapped up last week, but we continue to see many of the same names -- especially Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end Eric Ebron -- linked to the Ravens at pick No. 17 with few exceptions.

Baltimore Sun reporter Matt Vensel takes a look at which prospects are being "mocked" to the Ravens:

Dane Brugler, CBS Sports:Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M. “The Ravens have deep threats at receiver with Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones and Marlon Brown, but could use a larger, more physical talent for Joe Flacco to target,” Brugler wrote. “Evans won't run a blazing 40-yard dash but he's fast enough with the aggressive nature to win contested throws and be a threat after the catch.”

Peter Schrager, FOX Sports:Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan. “The Ravens, as thin as any team outside the Jets at wide receiver, would have this pick's envelope in to Commissioner Goodell before the clock even starts if Mike Evans is still on the board,” Schrager wrote. “In this scenario, he's not. So they go with Lewan, the accomplished offensive tackle who handled the competition in the loaded Big Ten.”

Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated:Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina. ”Come May, once his game gets completely dissected in the long slog that is the draft scouting season, it might be laughable to think that the draft's best tight end was ever going to last all the way to the Ravens at No. 17. But Ebron is exactly the type of downfield target Baltimore needs,” he wrote. “USC receiver Marqise Lee is the other obvious available first-round upgrade for the Ravens passing game, and you can't rule out the selection of an offensive tackle, such as Alabama's Cyrus Kouandjio, with both Michael Oher and Eugene Monroe eligible for free agency.”

Pat Kirwan, CBS Sports:C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama. “The Ravens could use a receiver, but there will be good receivers later in the draft or in free agency,” he wrote. “Ozzie Newsome is an Alabama guy and he knows he can build the defense around this young man.”

Matthew Fairburn, SB Nation:Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU. “Joe Flacco is now a $100 million man, but he still needs more weapons if he's going to live up to his contract,” Fairburn wrote. “Odell Beckham Jr. helped himself by running really fast at the combine. He has a real chance to be drafted over Marqise Lee, and that's exactly what happens here.”

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report:Ebron. “Eric Ebron has carried a comparison to Vernon Davis from me since I finished my report on him. He's smooth and crazy athletic and can even come down and contribute as a blocker. Ebron can play in-line (next to the offensive tackle on the line of scrimmage) or in a flex position (in motion, in the slot, etc.). That versatility is what the Ravens need, as Ebron would give Flacco a legit yards-after-catch threat in the middle of the field.”